Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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One or more of the tendons that bend your fingers have been repaired. It will take at least 8 weeks before your tendon begins to heal and at least 12 weeks before you can return to heavy activities using your arm and hand.
Splint Instructions
- Your splint should be worn 24 hours a day. It can only be removed by medical/therapy staff, unless otherwise specified by your therapist.
- Remove the top elastic strap overnight.
- Avoid direct contact with heat, (eg hot water/radiators/hairdryers) as this may alter its shape.
- Keep it dry. When bathing/showering, cover you splint in a plastic bag taped to your arm.
- If at any time you feel the splint is causing pressure or impairing your circulation, you must contact your therapist immediately.
Skin Care
- Wash all areas not covered by the splint.
- Avoid wetting unhealed areas.
- Use moisturiser if your exposed skin becomes dry.
Swelling
It is important to get the swelling down as quickly as possible. Keep your hand elevated as much as possible until the swelling has gone down. Move your arm every hour, exercising your elbow and shoulder.
Problems
Please contact the therapy department on 0300 614 0540 should you have any of the following problems:
- Swelling/Stiffness/Pain.
- Skin irritation/soreness.
- Splint rubbing on skin.
- If your hand or fingers turn blue, feel cold or tingle – check straps are not too tight.
- If the splint feels loose when swelling reduces.
- You are unable to move your finger/s.
Keep your splint on at all times, until your therapist instructs you to take it off. This will probably be at 4 weeks following your surgery. Don’t take the splint off to wash, dress etc as the repaired tendons may break. It will only come off to change the dressing and adjust the splint.
Do not use your fingers or thumb for any activity (including buttons etc).
Do not hold anything in your hand or pick anything up, however light.
Do not drive or operate machinery.
Do not participate in any sporting activities.
Exercises
Complete all exercises 10 reps every 4 hours, unless stated on your sheet. Only remove the minimal number of straps to complete each exercise.
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1. Active Wrist Flexion Allow your wrist to drop forward away from the splint. Then take your hand back to the splint. |
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2. Passive Hook Fist With your other hand bend your finger into a hook shape and hold for 5 seconds, release the finger and repeat for all your digits. |
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3. Active Hook Fist Actively make a hook shape with all your fingers, hold 2 seconds and relax. |
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4. Passive Composite Fist With your other hand bend each finger into a full fist shape and hold for 5 seconds, release the finger and actively straighten to the splint. Repeat for all your digits. |
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5. Active Composite fist Actively make a full fist with all your fingers, hold for 2 seconds and relax. |
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6. Active Flat Fist Actively make a flat fist with all your fingers, hold for 2 seconds and relax. |
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7. Blocked IPJ Extension Slide the stick between your hand and your splint, push your fingers down from the big knuckles away from your splint. then flick your fingers straight against the stick. |
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8. Abduction/Adduction Open and close your fingers in a kind of scissor action |
Contact details
Hand therapy departments: (Lines open 8.30-15.30, Monday – Friday). In an emergency, seek medical advice from a GP or local accident or minor injuries unit.
0300 6133396 for Frimley
0300 6140540 then Option 2 Wexham or Option 3 for Heatherwood
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Hand therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Hand therapy
Reference:
UU/110
Approval date:
23 February 2026
Review date:
1 February 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.